Two stunning second half goals from Kaleem Haitham and October player of the month Kieran Hartley secured City’s progress in the Peter Bentley Challenge Cup with a win against Newhaven in difficult conditions.

The rain didn't stop all game, but then neither did the Chi Ultras who were in fine voice.

Miles Rutherford's side lost 3-2 at the Trafalgar Ground last month thanks to a hat-trick from Lee Robinson and it was the visitors' marksman who had the first clear cut chance when City keeper Ant Ender spilled a cross.

In an opening spell that Newhaven dominated Matt Gunn went close with a header before Robinson, the premier division's leading goal scorer with 18 already this season, got on to the end of a nice through ball and tested Ender.

Then Seb Saunders pulled a shot wide after a good cross in from Ben Earle.

It took the home side some twenty minutes to settle into the game when captain Dan Hegarty picked out Josh Clack with a lovely ball. The No.7 took a few touches and delivered a fierce shot which was clipped onto the crossbar by a defender.

City continued to press. Rob Hutchings stung the hands of Jake Buss and in the next phase of play Dave Herbert curled one just the wrong side of the woodwork.

Scott Jones then found Hutchings with a cross but there was no one to pick up the pieces from the knock down.

Robinson, a constant threat in the first 45, pulled a drive wide on 24 minutes and then a timely interception from Hegarty from a corner prevented another opportunity for Newhaven.

City ended the half with a flurry of chances. Clack had an effort blocked and Hegarty sent a header just over the bar. The best one though fell to Herbert but his shot was saved by the legs of Buss after getting in one on one.

HT: 0-0

Jones, who later limped off, was doubly denied just after the interval as City pushed for that opening goal by an excellent save from Buss first and next a defender on the line from the resulting corner.

Herbert missed a further chance on 56 minutes and then a Hartley bullet fizzed wide of the post following good build up play involving Clack and Tafadzwa Kanjanda. A mazy run from Herbert earned his team a corner that came to nothing and then the forward was unlucky with a well-hit strike into the side-netting.

Gunn had Newhaven’s only real opportunity of the second half but his effort drifted off target following a quick counter attack.

Rutherford, with an eye on the Vase match perhaps, introduced fresh legs – Sam Ndlovu replacing Jones, Kaleem Haitham on for Clack and Omar Barry for Lorenzo Dolcetti.

And this had an impact in the 70th minute when Haitham found the bottom corner with a peach of a shot from 30 yards to send the home fans into rapture.

Moments later Hartley provided a challenger for goal of the game. The versatility player cut inside and thumped a stunning effort which Buss could do nothing about into the other corner this time.

It was all Chi now and Barry gassed a defender or two only to have his powerful effort blocked.

A super pass from Hartley into the path of Ndlovu allowed the sub to round the keeper but a teammate managed to get back to clear.

Herbert could have/should have added a third deep into stoppage time.

The win sends Rutherford's side into the quarter finals of a second competition this season. Speaking after the match the manager said, “We're really pleased with the second half performance and particularly pleased to see the young lads get on today. Kaleem took his goal well. Now we look forward to the Vase this weekend.”

Chichester welcome Deal Town on Saturday for a second round FA Vase match (3pm kick off). The club will be hoping for a decent run in the competition like last year and for a big crowd for this huge game against tough opposition.

Chichester – Ender, Hartley, Williams, Pashley, Kanjanda, Clack, Hegarty, Hutchings, Herbert, Jones, Dolcetti. Subs (Barry, Haitham, Ndlovu)

Newhaven – Buss, Sowter, Earle, McCarthy, Gunn, Knight, Davies, Jallow, L.Robinson, Rhodes, Saunders. Subs (Darnall, I.Robinson, Woolven, Daly, Webb-Olley)